OAPS 'WILL DIE' AS BIG FREEZE HITS

'Cruel' ministers refuse to extend winter fuel deadline | MPs sound alarm as temperature dips

- Jonathan Walker

UP TO a million poor pensioners will miss out on vital help with winter fuel bills as freezing weather sweeps into Britain.

And ministers were branded "cruel" last night after refusing to extend the deadline for pension credit applications.

With temperatures due to fall below zero this charity bosses week, warned the harsh decision could cost lives.

Many elderly people are struggling even to complete the daunting 24-page which contains 243 form questions in time for the cut-off. It means they will be unable to claim either pension credit or the winter fuel allowance of up to £300 this year.

Last night ministers admitted that officials may take longer than the 10-day target to process applications that arrive in time.

Former pensions minister Baroness Ros Altmann said Labour's policy was "extremely cruel, poorly conceived and actually dangerous".

She told the Sunday Express: "The Department for Work and Pensions is struggling to deal with the new pension credit applications it has already received, let alone any more that will come along.

"Those eligible for help may still not receive anything this winter unless some changes are made, which so far there is no sign of. I truly fear for the lives of some of these frail, elderly people as the weather gets cold." Weather experts have warned winter will begin to bite this week, with sub-zero temperatures likely.

A switch in the wind direction over the weekend means cold air is descending on Britain from the Arctic.

The Met Office is predicting likely night-time temperatures of -2C in the north of England and Scotland, while in the Highlands they are set to fall to -7C.

Joanna Elson, chief executive at campaigning charity Independent Age, warned: "There is simply not enough time to get pension credit to everyone who is eligible.